A massive wildfire has broken out in the Bavarian mountains

A fire broke out in the Kimgau Alps in Bavaria, near the border with Austria, in the area around Mount Lakenbergwand; due to the rugged terrain, it may take several weeks to extinguish. 

The fire spread down the mountainside on July 29, 2026, and because ground equipment could not reach the site, three specialized helicopters were deployed to fight the blaze. 

Local residents were sent alerts advising them to avoid being outdoors, close their windows, and turn off their air conditioners due to the thick smoke. The area’s remote location had already posed a problem in the same region in May 2026, when it took a month to fully extinguish a similar fire.

The German Meteorological Service has warned of an increased risk of wildfires in Germany toward the end of the week, particularly in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, where preventive aerial patrols have been organized for safety reasons.

This was reported by Spiegel.

In France, officials warned on July 27 that large-scale wildfires near Bordeaux could last several more months and may not be fully extinguished by the end of summer. Rescue workers are comparing the situation to the major fires of previous years and are urging people to prepare for a long battle against the flames.

More than 300,000 people have been evacuated in France and Spain due to massive wildfires that have swept through regions of Southern Europe. In southwestern France, in the Gironde region, more than 220,000 residents have left their homes. The fire there has spread across approximately 32,700 hectares.

As a reminder, French passengers who purchased train tickets to the region around Bordeaux will be able to exchange or refund them free of charge.